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COVID-19 EDITION: TERM 2 What a bizarre world we have found ourselves in during these past few months. There is no one who has been untouched by the effects of the Covid-19 virus. As you may remember at the end of Term One, the Committee of Management made the decision to suspend mentoring indefinitely, with the health and safety of our mentors and mentees in the forefront of our minds. This was closely followed by the State Government’s directive to commence remote learning, seeing our students commence their first school holidays a week early, with remote learning commencing at the start of Term Two. With our staff and students working and studying from home, it has been a quiet term. We have welcomed our Year 12’s back in Week Seven, and the remaining students in Week Nine. Strict measures have been put in place to ensure that the school community remains safe during this time, including limitations on non-essential adults onsite. This of course includes our volunteer mentors. Therefore mentoring is still in recess for the time-being. We will be closely monitoring the government and education departments guidelines regarding this, and will only recommence the program when it is safe to do so. We are missing seeing everyone on site, and look forward to the day when it will be safe to welcome you all back. We would like to thank our mentoring community for their patience and adaptability during this time. It has been great to hear of phone catch-ups between mentors and mentees, and also some old-fashioned letter writing. Our coordinator has been in regular contact with students and mentees to maintain that support network, and has been working hard with the Committee in the background to ensure the continued success of the program into the future post-Covid 19.

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT Standing Tall is governed by a dedicated team of volunteer committee members who oversee the running of the program, and actively work to maintain the success of the program here in Hamilton. Each term we will introduce you to one of the members. Karyn Dyson has been a mentor with Standing Tall for many years and has mentored a number of young men throughout her time with us. She has a strong connection with and passion for our local youth, being a coach in

the local Marching Association for a number of years, and also a board member with the

Southern Grampians Adult Education (SGAE). Karyn has been a local Business Owner here in Hamilton with a strong background in Administration and Finance through her years of working

in the legal, alternative education and industrial

sectors. She has also been a very active member of our community, holding executive positions on the boards of both the Hamilton Regional Business Association and the Hamilton Pastoral Museum, as well as being an Inaugural member of the Hamilton Inner Wheel Club. Karyn believes strongly that ALL people have the right to an education “It is a right, not a privilege!” We are so glad to have Karyn on our team!

NEWSLETTER EDITION 34 | TERM 2 | JUNE 2020

“Every kid is ONE CARING ADULT away from being a SUCCESS story”

- Josh Shipp

“I’ve missed having good chats with

my mentor!” Travis, mentee

Karyn pictured her with a previous mentee, Ben

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FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT STANDING TALL IN HAMILTON... PLEASE CONTACT THE STANDING TALL OFFICE standingtallhamilton.BCO@outlook.com BAIMBRIDGE COLLEGE | 59 MT BAIMBRIDGE RD | HAMILTON VIC 3300 | 03 5572 2788 www.standingtallhamilton.com.au

Find us on facebook: For all the latest news as it happens, search for us ‘Standing Tall in Hamilton’.

BIRTHDAYS April 10th - Margy Stevenson (Mentor) May June 2nd - Karen Mitchell (Mentor) 15th - Sally Beggs (Mentor)

NEWSLETTER EDITION 34 | TERM 2 | JUNE 2020

Rev Peter B Cook Mrs Elaine Grey

Mr Keith and Mrs Elizabeth Haines

Mrs Faye Gumley The Tarrington Senior Citizens

Community Donors

The Standing Tall program in Hamilton is grateful for the generous financial support of

the many generous local foundations, businesses and individuals that have taken ownership as a community of the Standing Tall program

Strengthening our Community together...

THANKS TO OUR Suppor t e r s. . .

Hamilton Livestock

Association

A BIG THANK YOU! Standing Tall is grateful to Alf Francisco and his team at Hamilton Harvey Norman for the generous donation of a much needed new laptop for program. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Have you ever wanted to support Standing Tall, but didn’t know exactly how? Every little bit counts! One community member wanted to support Standing Tall and decided that she would hold meditation classes and donate the proceeds to the program. We understand that not everyone has time to volunteer or lots of funds to donate, but we welcome people who find creative ways to support our program. These investments in our young people show them that they are valued members of their community.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

A big thank you to Iluka, they have joined us

once again with a Silver Partnership donation of $5000 - we really

appreciate their investment into our

program.

“It’s been a temporary

inconvenience - and I can’t wait to get back on track”

Peter, Mentor

Senior mentees, Travis & Nyah with our new laptop

Program Coordinator, Jane Crowe met with Iluka Hamilton Operations Manager, Dean Menzel